Abstract:

Fuel cap apparatus for use with fuel venting systems are described. An
example fuel cap apparatus includes a body having a central cavity and a
flange. A membrane is coupled to the body to form a passageway
therethrough and coated with a material to substantially prevent the flow
of liquid and permit the flow of gas through the passageway.

Claims:

1. A fuel cap apparatus, comprising:a body having a cavity and a flange;
anda membrane coupled to the body to form a passageway therethrough and
coated with a material to substantially prevent the flow of liquid and
permit the flow of gas through the passageway.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a deflection
shield coupled to the body to restrict the flow of liquid fuel moving
from a fuel tank toward the passageway.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the deflection shield is
coupled to the body via a fastener.

4. (canceled)

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the deflection shield and
the body form a treacherous pathway to substantially prevent liquid fuel
from flowing through the passageway.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the membrane is coated with
a hydrophobic material.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic material
comprises a fluoropolymer material.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein the fluoropolymer material
comprises at least one of polytetrafluoroethylene, perfluoroalkoxy, or
fluorinated ethylene propylene.

9. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the membrane comprises a
mesh.

10. An apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein the mesh comprises a
stainless steel mesh.

11. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the membrane is integrally
formed with the body.

12. (canceled)

13. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the gas comprises at least
one of a fuel vapor or atmospheric air.

14. (canceled)

15. A vented fuel cap apparatus, comprising:a body having a cavity and a
surface, wherein the cavity defines a first side of the fuel cap and the
surface defines a second side of the fuel cap;a passageway through the
surface of the body, wherein the passageway fluidly couples the first
side and the second side;a membrane coupled to the passageway to permit
flow of gas between the first side and the second side and substantially
restrict flow of liquid between the first side and the second side; anda
deflection guard coupled to the body and having an annular flange,
wherein the deflection guard, the annular flange, and the body form a
treacherous path to substantially restrict the flow of liquid from the
first side to the second side.

16. A vented fuel cap as defined in claim 15, wherein the membrane is
integrally formed with the passageway.

17. A vented fuel cap as defined in claim 15, wherein the membrane is
coated with a fluropolymer material.

22. A vented fuel cap as defined in claim 15, wherein the first side
comprises an interior side of the fuel cap and the second side comprises
an exterior side of the fuel cap.

23. A fuel fill apparatus to be mounted to a deck of a boat, comprising:a
fill tube having a first opening to receive a nozzle and a second opening
to be coupled to a fuel tank;a vent tube adjacent the fill tube and
having a first end in fluid communication with the fill tube and a second
end to be in fluid communication with the fuel tank;a fuel cap having a
body, the body having a cavity and an opening in fluid communication with
the fill tube, wherein the fuel cap is removably coupled to the fill
tube; anda membrane coated with a hydrophobic material and disposed in
the opening of the fuel cap, wherein the membrane is to inhibit the flow
of liquid through the opening and allow the flow of gas through the
opening.

24. An apparatus as defined in claim 23, further comprising a deflection
shield coupled to the fuel cap to inhibit the flow of liquid through the
cavity.

25. An apparatus as defined in claim 24, wherein the deflection shield and
the body of the fuel cap form a treacherous path when the deflection
shield is coupled to the fuel cap, and wherein the treacherous path
prevents liquid fuel from exiting the fuel fill apparatus via the cavity
of the fuel cap.

26. An apparatus as defined in claim 24, wherein the deflection shield
further comprises an annular deflection lip to form a gap for air and
fuel vapor to pass to and from the fuel tank via the opening of the fuel
cap.

27. An apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein the fuel cap is in fluid
communication with the vent tube.

28. An apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein the gas comprises at
least one of atmospheric air or fuel vapors.

29. An apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein the vent tube is to vent
fuel vapor from the fuel tank, allow atmospheric air to enter the fuel
tank through the opening of the fuel cap, and provide a liquid fuel
overflow return from the fill tube to the fuel tank.

30. An apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein the membrane comprises a
stainless steel screen.

31. An apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein the hydrophobic material
comprises a fluoropolymer material.

32. (canceled)

33. An apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein the membrane is
integrally formed with the opening.

34. (canceled)

35. (canceled)

36. (canceled)

37. An apparatus as defined in claim 23, further comprising a base plate
coupled to the fill tube.

38. (canceled)

39. An apparatus as defined in claim 23, further comprising a cover.

40. An apparatus as defined in claim 39, wherein the cover forms a second
treacherous path when coupled to the fuel cap to further restrict the
flow of liquid fluid from flowing through the opening and allow the flow
of atmospheric air and fuel vapor through the opening.

41. (canceled)

42. (canceled)

43. An apparatus as defined in claim 39, wherein the fuel cap further
comprises a plurality of protrusions to engage the plurality of recesses
of the inner surface of the cover.

44. (canceled)

45. (canceled)

46. (canceled)

Description:

[0002]Many vehicles such as boats and other marine crafts have fuel
systems that require venting. For example, venting a fuel tank equalizes
the pressure in the tank by releasing fuel vapors and allowing
atmospheric air to flow into the fuel tank so that the liquid fuel can be
drawn from the tank via suction. Some venting systems employ a separate
venting tube or line to vent the fuel tank, while other venting systems
employ a venting tube in combination with a filling device. Although a
separate vent tube prevents the buildup of fuel pressure within the tank,
it does not prevent contamination of the environment as a result of
unintentional overboard venting of liquid fuel, which frequently occurs
when a marine fuel tank is being refueled due to fuel tank overfilling
and/or due to splashing, sloshing or other fuel surges during boat
movement. Additionally, separate vent tubes are prone to allow the
ingress of water and other contaminates into the fuel stored in the tank,
which can lead to engine damage.

[0003]To prevent liquid fuel from escaping or passing through the venting
tube due to tank overfilling and/or due to splashing, sloshing or other
fuel surges, the vent tube and filling device are often combined and in
fluid communication. Typically, boats are provided with a filling device
integrally formed with a vent tube that can mount to a deck of the boat
and connect to the fuel tank via fluid hoses and/or other conduits. In
this manner, the combined filling device and vent tube prevents the
unintentional overboard venting of liquid fuel during boat movements and
returns fuel overflow to the tank in case of tank overfill. A combined
vent tube and filling device typically requires a fuel cap that has a
vent formed therein. Also, a vented fuel cap must typically allow
adequate airflow through the fuel cap and prevent water and other
contaminates from passing through the vent of the fuel cap and into the
fuel tank.

[0004]Preventing the ingress of water through the fuel cap is important to
prevent engine damage. However, allowing the venting of fuel vapors is
also important to release the fuel vapors from the fuel tank and allow
sufficient atmospheric airflow so that the liquid fuel in the tank can
flow to the engine. Thus, a vented fuel cap typically requires a
passageway in which the venting area is large enough to allow vapors and
atmospheric air to pass therethrough, but small enough to prevent the
ingress of water and other contaminates. However, a passageway that is
small enough to prevent the ingress of water and other contaminates often
provides an insufficient and ineffective venting area for venting
atmospheric air and fuel vapors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005]FIG. 1A is an assembly view of an example fuel fill apparatus
implemented with the fuel cap apparatus described herein.

[0006]FIG. 1B is an exploded view of the example fuel fill apparatus
illustrated in FIG. 1A.

[0007]FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the example fuel cap apparatus of
FIGS. 1A and 1B.

[0008]FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the example fuel cap apparatus
illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2A.

[0009]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the example fuel fill apparatus
illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

[0010]FIG. 4 is an alternative example embodiment of an example fuel fill
apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011]In general, the example fuel cap apparatus described herein provides
a vented fuel cap for use with fuel fill apparatus such as, for example,
a fuel fill apparatus of a marine craft (e.g., a boat). The example
apparatus described herein provides a fuel cap having a vent passageway
that inhibits water and other contaminates from entering through the fuel
cap while having a venting area that allows sufficient and effective
continuous fuel tank ventilation. Additionally, the example fuel cap
prevents liquid fluid (e.g., fuel) from escaping through the vent
passageway of the fuel cap.

[0012]In particular, the example fuel cap apparatus includes a membrane
coated with a material (e.g., a hydrophobic material) that repels liquid
to preventingress of water through the membrane. The material can be a
fluoropolymer material (commonly known as Teflon®) such as, for
example, polytetrafluoroethylene, etc. The membrane may be integrally
formed with the fuel cap to form one or more venting passageways that
substantially inhibit the ingress of water and other contaminants into a
fuel tank and allow the ingress of atmospheric air and the egress of fuel
vapors through the one or more passageways at relatively high flow rates.
Additionally, the example fuel cap apparatus includes a deflection shield
that creates a treacherous path to substantially prevent liquid fuel from
flowing through the passageways (e.g., from the fuel tank) and into the
environment.

[0013]FIG. 1A illustrates an example fuel filling assembly or fuel fill
apparatus 100 for use with marine crafts that is implemented with an
example closure cap assembly 102 described herein. The example fuel fill
apparatus 100 may be referred to as a deckfill and is adapted for
mounting to a deck of a marine craft such as, for example, a deck 302
(FIG. 3) of a boat (not shown). The example fuel fill apparatus 100
includes a fill tube 104 and a vent tube 106 that extends through an
opening 304 (FIG. 3) of the deck 302 when the fuel fill apparatus 100 is
mounted to the deck 302 of a boat. Although not shown in the
illustration, fluid hoses and/or other conduits are coupled to terminal
ends 108 and 110 of the fill tube 104 and the vent tube 106,
respectively, and extend to the fuel tank, which is typically positioned
below the deck 302. In some example implementations, the fill tube 104
and/or the vent tube 106 can be angled or slanted to facilitate the
positioning and installation of the fuel fill apparatus 100 to the boat
and/or the fluid hoses or other conduits and reduce the possibility of
fuel spillage when filling the fuel tank. In other example
implementations, the fill tube 104 and the vent tube 106 may be
substantially straight. The fuel fill apparatus 100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B
can be made of resinous or metal alloy materials such as polypropylene,
nylon, stainless steel, bronze, aluminum, and/or any other suitable
materials that are resistant to impact, fuel, weather, etc.

[0014]FIG. 1B illustrates an exploded view of the example fuel fill
devices or apparatus 100 of FIG. 1A. The fill tube 104 typically includes
a generally planar, base plate or flange 112 that supports the fill tube
104 and the vent tube 106 when the fuel fill apparatus 100 is mounted to
the deck 302 (FIG. 3). The flange 112 is illustrated as a circular flange
that engages a surface 306 (FIG. 3) of the boat deck 302 and has a
plurality of mounting holes 114 for mounting the fuel fill device 100 to
the surface 306 of the deck 302. The fuel fill apparatus 100 can be
mounted to the deck 302 of the boat via screws or any other suitable
fastening mechanism(s) that pass into and/or through the mounting holes
114. In the example illustration, the fill tube 104, the vent tube 106,
and the flange 112 are integrally formed (e.g., via injection molding) as
a substantially unitary piece or structure. However, in other example
implementations, the fill tube 104, the vent tube 106, and the flange 112
can be separate components coupled together via fasteners or any other
suitable fastening mechanism(s). In yet other example implementations,
such as the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the flange 112 can be square
or any other polygonal-shaped member.

[0015]The fill tube 104 has an opening 116 for receiving a nozzle such as,
for example, a nozzle of a fuel pump, etc. The closure cap assembly 102
removably couples to the opening 116. When coupled to the opening 116,
the closure cap assembly 102 sealingly engages the opening 116 to close
the opening 116 of the fill tube 104. The opening 116 can include
internal threads 118 for receiving the closure cap assembly 102. However,
in other example implementations, the fill tube 104 can include other
suitable fastening mechanism(s) such as, for example, the fastening
mechanism discussed below in connection with FIG. 4. The fill tube 104
may also include a recessed portion 120 near the opening 116 to receive a
sealing member 122 such as, for example, an o-ring to provide a seal and
prevent liquids and gases from entering and/or escaping between the
closure cap assembly 102 and the opening 116 of the fill tube 104 when
the closure cap assembly 102 is coupled to the fill tube 104.

[0016]The vent tube 106 is adjacent to and in fluid communication with the
fill tube 104. The vent tube 106 returns liquid fuel overflow from the
fill tube 104 back to a fuel tank (not shown) and provides venting of
fuel vapors and passage of atmospheric air from and to the fuel tank. A
diffuser 124 may be coupled (e.g., via a press fit) to the vent tube 106
to prevent liquid fuel from spraying out of the vent tube 106 and onto
the deck 302 of the boat and/or a person operating a fuel pump during
filling of the tank.

[0017]The closure cap assembly 102 includes a fuel cap 126, a screen or
membrane 128, a deflection shield or deflection guard 130, and a cover
132 that are coupled together via a fastener 134. The closure cap
assembly 102 may include a washer 136 and a tether strap 138. The tether
strap 138 includes a first end 140 that couples to the deflection shield
130 via the fastener 134 and a second end 142 that couples to the fill
tube 104 via, for example, an inside of surface 145, to secure the
closure cap assembly 102 to the fuel fill apparatus 100 when the closure
cap assembly 102 is removed from the opening 116 during filling of the
tank. Although not shown, in some example implementations, the closure
cap assembly 102 may include a ground (e.g., a grounding strap), which
can discharge potential electrostatic charges that can exist in a
metallic fuel pump nozzle and/or a person operating a fuel pump. A ground
may be required depending on the type of material (e.g., metal) used to
manufacture the example fuel fill apparatus 100.

[0018]In the illustrated example, the cover 132 includes a plurality of
recessed grooves 144 and ribs 146 that provide a gripping surface when
removing or coupling the closure cap assembly 102 to the fill tube 104.
Additionally and/or alternatively, the cover 132 includes a plurality of
recessed apertures 148 that receive a key (not shown) having pins to
further tighten and/or loosen the closure cap assembly 102. However, in
other examples, the recessed grooves 144, ribs 146 and/or the recessed
apertures 148 may be excluded.

[0019]FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view and FIG. 2B illustrates a
cross-sectional view of a portion of the example closure cap assembly 102
of FIG. 1B without the cover 132. The fuel cap 126 includes a body 202
having a flange 204. In the illustrated example, the body 202 has a
generally cylindrical member 206 extending along a longitudinal axis 208
that includes a central cavity 210 defining a first side or interior side
212 (i.e., a non-exposed side) of the fuel cap 126 and a surface 214
defining a second side or exposed side 216 of the fuel cap 126.
Additionally or alternatively, the outer surface 214 of the fuel cap 126
may have a convex contour or shape to repel and/or prevent liquid from
entering through the passageways 218 (i.e., to allow water to run off the
fuel cap 126).

[0020]The surface 214 of the body 202 includes one or more passageways 218
to allow the flow of gases between the first side 212 and the second side
216 of the fuel cap 126. As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the
passageways 218 are circumferentially spaced about the longitudinal axis
208 of the body 202. However, in other example implementations, one or
more passageways 218 may be spaced in any desired manner (e.g., unequal
spacing). For example, the surface 214 can include one or more
passageways 218 axially aligned with the longitudinal axis 208 or a
plurality of passageways 218 spaced about the longitudinal axis 208.

[0021]The body 202 can also include external threads 220 that threadably
engage the internal threads 118 of the fill tube 104. A cylindrical
portion 222 extends from the surface 214 of the body 202 and into the
central cavity 210 and has an aperture 224 to receive the fastener 134.
The flange portion 204 can also include a plurality of protrusions 226
that engage respective recessed grooves 308 (FIG. 3) of the cover 132 to
provide a tight fit and prevent the cover 132 from moving (e.g.,
wobbling) relative to the fuel cap 126. The fuel cap 126 can be made of
fuel, weather and/or impact resistant resinous materials such as
polypropylene, nylon, (both of which can eliminate the need for
electrical grounding), or any other suitable materials. In yet other
example implementations, the example fuel cap 126 can be integrally
formed as a substantially unitary or single piece via injection molding
or any other suitable process(es).

[0022]The screen or membrane 128 is coated with a hydrophobic material
such as, for example, a fluoropolymer material (e.g., Teflon®). The
fluoropolymer material can comprise, for example,
polytetrafluoroethylene, perfluoroalkoxy, fluorinated ethylene propylene,
etc. The membrane 128 may be integrally formed (e.g., via insert molding)
with the fuel cap 126 to form the one or more passageways 218. In the
illustrated example, the membrane 128 is a stainless steel mesh or screen
that is coated with Teflon® and insert molded with the fuel cap 126
to form the passageways 218. However, in other example implementations,
the membrane 128 can be any suitable material that prevents the flow of
liquid fluid therethrough. In yet other example implementations, the
screen or membrane 128 can be coupled to the passageways 218 via
adhesives, chemical fasteners, or any other suitable fastening
mechanism(s).

[0023]As described above, the deflection shield 130 is coupled to the body
202 of the fuel cap 126 via for example, mechanical fasteners, chemical
fasteners, insert molding, and/or any other suitable fastening
mechanism(s). The deflection shield 130 includes a cylindrical body 228
having a cavity 230 and an annular deflection lip or flange 232 that
extends laterally and outwardly from the body 228 of the deflection
shield 130. The deflection shield 130 also includes a cylindrical member
234 having an aperture 236 to receive the fastener 134. The aperture 236
may included at least a threaded portion 238 to receive the fastener 134.

[0024]When coupled to the fuel cap 126, the lip 232 is spaced a distance
from an inner surface 240 of the body 202 to create a gap 242 between the
body 202 and the lip 232. The cylindrical member 234 of the deflection
shield 130 engages the cylindrical portion 222 of the fuel cap 126 when
coupled together. Thus, in some example implementations, a spacer (not
shown) may be used between the cylindrical portion 222 of the fuel cap
126 and the cylindrical member 234 of the deflection shield 130 to form
and/or increase the distance of the gap 242.

[0025]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the example fuel fill apparatus
100 of FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B coupled to the deck 302 of the boat.
During filling and when the fuel cap 126 is removed, fuel vapors pass
through the vent tube 106 and to the atmosphere through the opening 116
of the fill tube 104. If liquid fuel in the fill tube 104 rises above the
vent tube 106 (e.g., due to overfilling or filling the tank too quickly),
the fuel in the fill tube 104 is returned back to the fuel tank via the
vent tube 106 without contaminating the deck 302 of the boat or the
environment. Similarly, if the vent tube 106 overfills, the fluid (e.g.,
fuel) returns to the tank via the fill tube 104. Also, as noted above,
the diffuser 124 prevents liquid fuel from spraying out of the vent tube
106 and onto the deck 302 and/or a person operating a fuel pump if the
vent tube 106 overfills too quickly during filling of the tank. Once
filling of the tank is complete, the closure cap assembly 102 is coupled
to the fill tube 104.

[0026]When the fuel cap 126 is coupled to the fuel fill apparatus 100,
pressure (e.g., due to fuel vapors) within the fuel tank will be relieved
and atmospheric air admitted to the tank. As illustrated by pathway 312,
air at atmospheric pressure is admitted to the fuel tank by passing
between the rim 310 of the cover 132 and the flange 112 upwardly along
the rim 310 and the surface 214 and through the passageways 218 of the
fuel cap 126. The atmospheric air proceeds through the gap 242 pathway
and to the fuel tank. The gap 242 provides a pathway for fluid vapor or
gas to travel between the fuel tank (not shown) and the passageways 218.
Likewise, fuel vapors escape or egress from the fuel tank to equalize the
pressure within the fuel tank by following the reverse of the path 312
followed by the atmospheric air.

[0027]As illustrated in FIG. 3, a treacherous pathway 314 is formed by the
fuel cap 126 and the deflection shield 130. The treacherous pathway 314
created by the fuel cap 126 and the deflection shield 130 prevents
liquids from escaping or passing through the passageways 218. As
illustrated, in the event of a fuel surge caused by splashing or sloshing
during boat movement or the like, any liquid fuel traveling upwardly
through fill tube 104 strikes the deflection shield 130 and deflects
toward the fuel tank. The deflection shield 130 blocks the central cavity
210 of the fuel cap 126 to substantially prevent liquid fuel from
escaping through the passageways 218 into the environment.

[0028]In the event that liquid (e.g., fuel) bypasses the deflection shield
130, the liquid must pass upwardly in a succession of steps via the
treacherous pathway 314. In particular, the liquid passes through and
travels upward along the gap 242 pathway formed between the fuel cap 126
and the deflection shield 130. After the liquid travels through the gap
242 pathway and the liquid approaches the passageways 218 of the fuel cap
126, the liquid travels toward the cavity 230 and is captured by the
cavity 230 of the defection shield 130, thereby substantially preventing
the liquid from escaping and/or passing through the passageways 218.
Additionally, the membrane 128 substantially prevents the egress of
liquid (e.g., fuel) through the passageways 218. Likewise, water and
other contaminants flowing in opposite direction along the path 314 are
prevented from entering the fuel tank due to the treacherous pathway 314.
In particular, the liquid fluid (e.g., water) must travel between the rim
310 of the cover 132 and the flange 112 to the passageways 218, in which
the membrane 128 prevents the ingress of the fluid and other contaminants
from entering through the passageways 218. Additionally, the convex
contour or shape of the surface 212 of the fuel cap 126 substantially
inhibits the flow of fluid toward the passageway 218 and allows the fluid
to run off of the fuel cap 126 away from the passageway 218 and through
path 314 between the rim 310 and the cover 132.

[0029]Due to the non-stick properties of the fluoropolymer material used
to form the membrane 128 and its hydrophobic properties (e.g., its
ability to repel water), and the convex contour or shape of the surface
214 of the fuel cap 126, the passageways 218 can be sized to provide
effective and sufficient cross-sectional venting area so that venting of
fluid gases through the passageways 218 occurs at relatively high flow
rates while preventing water and other contaminants from entering through
the fuel cap 126. For example, the passageways 218 can be sized to
provide at least 90 mm2 venting area. Also, because the venting area
is greatly increased in comparison to many known fuel fill apparatus, the
example fuel fill apparatus 100 described herein can be manufactured with
greater tolerances and variations, which results in lower manufacturing
costs. Thus, the vented fuel cap 126 described herein provides a
cross-sectional venting area (i.e., the passageways 218) large enough to
allow effective and significant flow of fuel vapors and air therethrough,
while substantially preventing the ingress of water and other
contaminates into the fuel tank.

[0030]FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an alternative example of a fuel fill
device or apparatus 400. The example fuel fill apparatus 400 includes a
fill tube 402 and a vent tube 404 adjacent to and in fluid communication
with the fill tube 402. The fill tube 402 and the vent tube 404 extend
through an opening of a deck (e.g., the deck 302 of FIG. 3) and connect
to a fuel tank via fluid hoses and/or conduits. In some example
implementations, the fill tube 402 and the vent tube 404 can be angled or
slanted to facilitate installation or positioning of the fuel fill
apparatus 400 with a boat deck and/or the fluid hoses or conduits and
reduce fuel spillage when filling the fuel tank. In other example
implementations, the fill tube 402 and the vent tube 404 may be
substantially straight. The vent tube 404 may include a diffuser 405 to
prevent liquid fuel from spraying out of the vent tube 404 and onto the
deck of the boat and/or a person operating a fuel pump during filling of
the tank.

[0031]The fill tube 402 includes an opening 406 for receiving a nozzle
such as, for example, a nozzle of a fuel pump and a raised annular lip
408 adjacent to the opening 406. The fill tube 402 also includes a
generally planar flange or base plate 410 that supports the fill tube 402
and the vent tube 404 when the fuel fill apparatus 400 is mounted to the
deck. The base plate 410 is illustrated as a square flange that engages a
surface (e.g., the surface 306 of FIG. 3) of the boat deck and has a
plurality of mounting holes 412 for mounting the fuel fill apparatus 400
to the deck of the boat. The fuel fill apparatus 400 can be mounted to
the deck of the boat via screws or any other suitable fastening
mechanism(s) that pass into and/or through the mounting holes 412. In the
example illustration, the fill tube 402, the vent tube 404, and the base
plate 410 are integrally formed (e.g., via injection molding) as a
substantially single piece or structure and can be made from fuel
resistant materials, weather resistant materials, stainless steel,
bronze, aluminum, or any other suitable material(s).

[0032]The base plate 410 includes a hinge 414 for receiving a hinge pin
416 that pivotally couples a cover 418 to the base plate 410 so that the
cover 418 can pivot between an open and closed position. Additionally or
alternatively, the base plate 410 includes a groove or track 420 that
receives a latch 422 to lock the cover 418 in the closed position. The
latch 422 includes a lever 424 having a grip or ridge 426 and a recessed
portion 428 that engages a contact member 430 of the cover 418 to lock
the cover 418 in the closed position. A biasing element (not shown)
biases the lever 422 toward the contact member 430 so that the cover 418
remains in the closed position. To open the cover 418, the lever 424 is
moved in an inwardly direction toward the cover 418, thereby releasing
the contact member 430 of the cover 418 and pivoting the cover 418 to the
open position. Stops 432 prevent the lever 424 from being pulled and/or
removed from the groove or track 420. A spring 434 can be coupled to the
hinge pin 416 to bias the cover 418 toward the opened position when the
latch 422 releases the cover 418. The hinge pin 416 fastens (e.g., via
press fit) to cover 418 to allow the cover 418 to pivot about hinge 414.

[0033]A fuel cap 436 removably and sealingly engages the opening 406 of
the fill tube 402. The fuel cap 436 includes a body 438 having a flange
portion 440. The flange portion 440 includes a recessed groove (not
shown) that sealingly engages (e.g., via a press fit) the raised annular
lip 408 of the fill tube 402 when the fuel cap 436 is coupled to the fill
tube 402. The flange portion 440 also includes a plurality of protrusions
442 to provide a gripping surface and/or to engage a tool when coupling
or removing the fuel cap 436 from the fill tube 402. The fuel cap 436
includes an aperture 444 for receiving a fastener 446.

[0034]A screen or membrane 448 coated with a fluoropolymer material (e.g.,
Teflon®) is integrally formed (e.g., via insert molding) with the
fuel cap 436 to form one or more venting passageways 450. The membrane
448 can be made of a stainless steel and substantially prevents the
ingress of water and other contaminants into the passageways 450 while
allowing the flow of fuel vapors and atmospheric air between the fuel
tank and a surrounding ambient for venting the fuel tank. The passageways
450 can be circumferentially spaced or spaced in any desired manner
(e.g., unequal spacing, etc.)

[0035]A deflection shield 452 includes a body 454 and an annular
deflection lip 456. The body 454 includes a cavity 458 and a cylindrical
member 460 having an aperture 462 for receiving the fastener 446. When
coupled together, the fuel cap 436 and the deflection shield 452 form a
treacherous path (e.g., substantially similar to the treacherous path 314
of FIG. 3) to prevent liquid (e.g., fuel) from escaping through the
venting passageways 450 of the fuel cap 436 if, for example, the fuel
splashes from the fuel tank during boat movements. Also, the membrane 448
substantially prevents or restricts the egress of fuel via the
passageways 450. Additionally, the fuel cap 436 and the deflection shield
452 form a fluid pathway (e.g., substantially similar to the pathway 312
of FIG. 3) to allow fuel vapor to vent from and atmospheric air to enter
the fuel tank. Also, as discussed above, the membrane 448 allows
atmospheric air and fuel vapors to pass through the passageways 450,
while inhibiting water and other contaminants from entering via the
passageways 450.

[0036]Similar to the fuel cap 126 described above, due to the
characteristics and properties of the fluoropolymer material (e.g.,
Teflon®) and the surface tension of water, the membrane 448 described
herein substantially prevents ingress of water and other contaminates via
the passageways 450. In this manner, the passageways 450 can be sized to
provide a sufficient and an effective cross-sectional venting area, such
as, for example, a 90 mm2 venting area, etc. Also, because the
venting area is greatly increased as compared to many known fuel fill
apparatus, the example fuel fill apparatus 400 described herein can be
manufactured with greater tolerances and variations, which results in
lower manufacturing costs.

[0037]Although certain apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture
have been described herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not
limited thereto. To the contrary, this patent covers all apparatus,
methods, and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of
the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of
equivalents.